From a Log to a Dog:The P.H.A.R.M® Dog Pilot Project

Jackie Allenbrand AgrAbility Rural Outreach Specialist/ PHARM® Dog Coordinator

Beverly MaltsbergerUniversity of MO. Extension Community Development Specialist

P.H.A.R.M® DogPets Helping Agriculture in Rural Missouri

A program to assist farmers with disabilities, and their families, through the use of Service and Herding Dogs

The PHARM® Dog Project• Small start-up grant received in 2005– Institute for Human Development at University of

MO Kansas City– Funding from a business entrepreneurial grant– The director liked the idea!– Folded in with AgrAbility and MERIL program

• The PHARM® Dog idea becomes a reality!– Volunteers and donations support the program

Making Paw Prints

• Surveyed area farmers with disabilities• Developed advisory committee • Inventory programs that were available– Service dog programs– Herding dog programs– But, no combined programs for farmers

Hot On The Trail

• The search for a trainer and dogs begin• Research to find information identified by the

advisory group• The tracks were cold• Begin search for a “Demo” Dog– Prison Program Experience– Sammy 2007– Kristy 2008– Cooper 2010

High Hopes

• Merlin wants to be our first PHARM Dog Placement

• Dennis is also identified as a potential placement• Kristy arrives to promote the PHARM Dog idea• Pamela donates a dog• Bobby, Virgil and Wendy step forward, 2009• “Roy” is placed with Dennis, 2009.• Cooper, the demo dog, arrives in 2010

Media & Other Interests

• American Chronic Pain Association’s newsletter• Media Day was held for first PHARM dog placement for a human

interest story in the Missouri Ruralist’s October 2009 edition.• Televised on local TV station • Rural Missouri, Extension publications, The Progressive Farmer

and The Kennel Spotlight.• Local groups• American Stock Dog Association• “Ag Lifestyles” on RFD TV and Animal Planet• Over 260 responses with 13 farmers on the waiting list. • Research by Dr. Rebecca Johnson on MU Campus• Children’s book

Dennis Schmitz

• PTO farming accident in 1999• Received help from AgrAbility• Met at safety day presentation in 2005• Dennis becomes our “guinea pig”• PHARM Dog “Roy” and his impact on Dennis and the

farm.

New PHARM Dog Placement

Placement of our first PHARM® Dog

Roy (left) is the newest member of the Dennis Schmitz Family ( Sad note, Roy passed away summer 2010)

Meet Our Trainer

Virgil Miles is Roy’s trainer. He is a recognized border collie livestock dog trainer from Kansas. He not only trained Roy, but donated him to the PHARM® Dog Project and is working with Dennis Schmitz.

Creating a Team

Training the recipient of a livestock dog is just as important as training the dog. They must develop a bond in order to function as a team.

Early Supporters

Jackie Allenbrand recognizes Pamela Osborn as an early supporter of the program. Her late husband Merlin, was a stockman and rancher who believed very strongly in AgrAbility and in the PHARM® Dog Project.

Bobby and Wendy Miller

Bobby and Wendy Miller have donated their time and training talents to the program. Their border collie, Zag, was donated along with 6 puppies that will be trained for a farmer in need of a dog.

Bobby and Cap

Sandy and Abe

Sandy Rickey trained Barbwire Abe to perform a variety of tasks on her farm. Abe retrieves everything she drops or asks him to get. He is also Sandy’s official gate opener and helps her with livestock. Sandy has used dogs for 20 years on her farm.

Opening the Gate

Retrieving Cane

Retrieving Tools

Retrieving the Shovel

Riding the Gator

Opening the Cooler

Martin From, our Gate Man

When Jackie needed a gate to train dogs to open and close, Martin From said he could build one, and he did! He did this at no cost to the project.

Working Dogs and Livestock

Trainer’s Thoughts

Bobby, Dennis and Virgil

The Northwest MO PHARM® Dog Project Family

PHARM® Dog Needs

• Dog Food• Vet Meds• Vet Care• Collars, leashes, bowls• Kennels• Dog houses• Last but not least-MONEY-to meet program

needs.

Puppy Raisers1st Litter-2010

FFA projects & Family Projects

Projected costs• We currently have 6 puppies in the program that are placed with

“puppy raisers.” These puppies stay with families for 12-15 months. The projected cost to raise 1 puppy for a year is:

$1650

• These costs involve: Vaccines, vet care, spay/neuter, treats, chew bones, bowls, collars, leashes, kennels, medications, boarding, and crates. These costs are for basic needs and the number can change as the program continues to grow.

• We are running mainly on donations of products at this time from MFA, Tractor Supply, D-Tone Feed, Vita Ferm, Pfizer, Cargill, and individuals.

Dog Food

• We are currently working on a sponsorship for a consistent dog food supply with Pro Pac. We have had some food donated by: D-Tone Feed and Tires in Plattsburg, MO and MFA in Albany, MO.

• The goal is to provide dog food to the puppy raisers since they are giving 12-15 months of their lives to help raise a pup.

• Another goal is to provide food to dogs used in the program and to farmers that receive a dog with at least a 3 month supply.

How much food?

• 9 bags of dog food would sustain a dog for 1 year of his life.

• 2 and ½ cups = Close to 1 lb. of food a day.• 40 lb. bag • 365 lbs. a year• Average life span of a dog is 10 years for a

total of 90 bags of food for a lifetime.

Helpful Websites

• www.isaz.net

• www.deltasociety.org

• www.ada.gov

• www.servicedogsamerica.org

• www.ohioservicedogs.org

Final Thoughts

• Helping Farmers to “heel” and “heal” is the goal of the PHARM® Dog Project.

• Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

George Eliot

Humor Helps the World Go Round

Need More Information?

For more information about the MO AgrAbility Program or the PHARM® Dog Project, contact:Jackie Allenbrand, AgrAbility Specialist and

PHARM® Dog Project Coordinator816-279-8558, ext. 1026

orMO AgrAbility Project at 800-995-8503

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